The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Ken Ashigbey, has stressed that an effective gold traceability system is vital in the fight against illegal mining, ensuring that unregulated gold does not enter the formal market.

His remarks come a year after the Adansi Asokwa helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region, which claimed eight lives, including two ministers of state during an official assignment linked to combating illegal mining.

Ashigbey noted that traceability will strengthen accountability in Ghana’s gold supply chain and protect the mining sector from the economic and social risks posed by illegal operations.

Government moves to formalise waste transfer stations

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, August 6, 2026, the CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Ken Ashigbey, raised concerns about the limited resources available to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources in combating illegal mining. He stressed that the ministry requires greater financial and logistical support to effectively address the growing challenge.

“We really are not seeing the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources getting the amount of resources it needs to be able to do what it has to do. That is not happening, and it is something we really need to look into if we want to deal with the problem,” he said.

Ashigbey also called for stronger action against individuals involved in illegal mining, warning that the absence of punishment emboldens offenders.

“We cannot allow people to be clearly involved in illegal mining and nothing seems to happen to them. The time has come for the media to also put out some of these names and ask what is happening to these people, so that everyone knows there are repercussions for doing the wrong thing,” he noted.

He further urged authorities to protect Ghana’s water bodies and natural resources, while ensuring that legitimate mining companies are able to operate responsibly.

ANAS/SA

Ghana's recovery due to superior economic management - Ato Forson